Charter school application raises questions

Published: Friday, March 8, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 2:42 p.m.

Students in Davidson County already have several educational options: traditional public schools, Yadkin Valley Regional Academy (geared to science, technology, engineering and math), Davidson Early College (where students graduate with college credits), religious schools, private schools and home schools. Now a group of county residents wants to add another option, the county’s first charter school. Davidson Academy, Inc., applied to the state to open a school for the 2014-15 school year.

The name Davidson Academy, of course, is familiar. A private school by that name (and later Davidson Country Day School) existed from 1997 until 2009, when it closed. Jane Whitehurst, who helped found Davidson Academy and also previously served on the Lexington City Board of Education, is president of the proposed charter school board. Her actions demonstrate she believes additional educational options are needed in Lexington.

But at what cost? The funding for charter schools comes from existing public school systems. Davidson Charter Academy anticipates drawing 125 students from Davidson County Schools its first year, 59 from Lexington City Schools and 32 from Thomasville City Schools. That would mean the loss of state, local and federal funds amounting to $835,813.45 for the county, $424,493.89 for Lexington and $236,710.56 for Thomasville.

While the projection for number of potential students seems high, and if fewer enrolled the three systems would lose less money, any reduction in funding would raise concerns for the public schools. Systems have cut jobs and eliminated programs in recent years due to the economic downturn and tight state budgets. Davidson County spent $7,184.19 per pupil in 2011-12, which ranks below the state average of $8,436.44 (Lexington and Thomasville both ranked above the state average), according to state statistics, and that figure could drop even lower with reductions.

Charter schools tend to serve students who rank toward the top or bottom of academic abilities. Davidson Charter Academy didn’t identify its target group, as some of the other 70 applications did, but instead proposes to reach a similar demographic that already exists in the county. Organizers were hesitant to discuss plans, and some specifics weren’t spelled out in a press release they distributed. So the location of a potential school remains unknown, although the American Children’s Home could be used initially.

The school’s growth plans seem ambitious, too, not only with construction of a building three years after start-up but a population of 400 students by its fourth year. Many differences would exist with the previous Davidson Academy, but building debt coupled with a lack of enrollment contributed to that school’s closing.

Despite some of these concerns, the school has a solid shot at becoming a reality. Charter schools have found a much more favorable political environment in the state, including the lifting of one charter per county. The State Board of Education approved 24 of 25 applicants presented Wednesday, and those schools will open in the next two years. But the potential effect on public school funding shouldn’t be overlooked.

<p>Students in Davidson County already have several educational options: traditional public schools, Yadkin Valley Regional Academy (geared to science, technology, engineering and math), Davidson Early College (where students graduate with college credits), religious schools, private schools and home schools. Now a group of county residents wants to add another option, the county's first charter school. Davidson Academy, Inc., applied to the state to open a school for the 2014-15 school year.</p><p>The name Davidson Academy, of course, is familiar. A private school by that name (and later Davidson Country Day School) existed from 1997 until 2009, when it closed. Jane Whitehurst, who helped found Davidson Academy and also previously served on the Lexington City Board of Education, is president of the proposed charter school board. Her actions demonstrate she believes additional educational options are needed in Lexington.</p><p>But at what cost? The funding for charter schools comes from existing public school systems. Davidson Charter Academy anticipates drawing 125 students from Davidson County Schools its first year, 59 from Lexington City Schools and 32 from Thomasville City Schools. That would mean the loss of state, local and federal funds amounting to $835,813.45 for the county, $424,493.89 for Lexington and $236,710.56 for Thomasville.</p><p>While the projection for number of potential students seems high, and if fewer enrolled the three systems would lose less money, any reduction in funding would raise concerns for the public schools. Systems have cut jobs and eliminated programs in recent years due to the economic downturn and tight state budgets. Davidson County spent $7,184.19 per pupil in 2011-12, which ranks below the state average of $8,436.44 (Lexington and Thomasville both ranked above the state average), according to state statistics, and that figure could drop even lower with reductions.</p><p>Charter schools tend to serve students who rank toward the top or bottom of academic abilities. Davidson Charter Academy didn't identify its target group, as some of the other 70 applications did, but instead proposes to reach a similar demographic that already exists in the county. Organizers were hesitant to discuss plans, and some specifics weren't spelled out in a press release they distributed. So the location of a potential school remains unknown, although the American Children's Home could be used initially.</p><p>The school's growth plans seem ambitious, too, not only with construction of a building three years after start-up but a population of 400 students by its fourth year. Many differences would exist with the previous Davidson Academy, but building debt coupled with a lack of enrollment contributed to that school's closing.</p><p>Despite some of these concerns, the school has a solid shot at becoming a reality. Charter schools have found a much more favorable political environment in the state, including the lifting of one charter per county. The State Board of Education approved 24 of 25 applicants presented Wednesday, and those schools will open in the next two years. But the potential effect on public school funding shouldn't be overlooked.</p>